This week's free story comes from the Martin & Sylvia: More Adventures! collection. It's called "A Little Bit of Light."   Every year when the trees have all lost their leaves and the ground starts to frost in the morning, brother and sister start to make their lanterns for their annual lantern festival. This year they can't go their normal route and need to choose another place to walk. When Martin suggests going next door to visit the doctor's house, Sylvia worries that it will be...

This week's free story comes from the Martin & Sylvia's Family Tree of Stories collection. It's called "Nanni's Story."   Nanni's story is about how she loved to sing to horses when her father, a large animal vet, was treating them. The horses always responded. When her father took her to the Kentucky Derby to treat one of the competing horses, a most incredible opportunity presented itself. This is a story about what magic can happen when you authentically wish to help others.   If...

This week's free story comes from the So Many Fairies Halloween Story collection. It's called "Halloween Story: Part One."   We meet Henry - a creative, delightful boy who would very much like to be an elf. When the Halloween season begins, he throws himself into preparation, for this year he will get to try on his elf-ness! He also meets Brie, a classmate who invites him to trick-or-treat in her neighborhood. On Halloween eve they immediately see that this is no ordinary Halloween:...

This week's free story comes from the Martin & Sylvia's Halloween collection. It's called "Part One: The Thinning of the Veils."   The stories follow the events that unfold over the few days before Halloween as the creative brother and sister prepare for their annual Fairy Ball. Part One: "The Thinning of the Veils" While Martin and Sylvia wait for the invitations to arrive for their annual Halloween Fairy Ball, Sylvia spies something curious sticking out of the toy shelf in their...

This week's free story comes from the Martin & Sylvia: Saturdays! collection. It's called "True Colors."   One autumn morning, Momma tells brother and sister that the oranges, reds and yellows of autumn leaves are actually their true colors — that the green actually masks those colors until the fall. This reminds Sylvia of something she has been masking — and gives her the courage to tell the truth.   If you enjoyed that story, there are hundreds more where that came from. Try a...

This week's free story comes from the Martin & Sylvia: Saturdays! collection. It's called "Silly Speak Songs."   Brother and sister attend a song writing workshop with a visiting children's musician and even though Martin is at first resistant, they both learn the silly way she writes songs.   If you enjoyed that story, there are hundreds more where that came from. Try a Sparkle subscription now - for free. Go to sparklestories.com and click the button at the top that says “Start...

We're thrilled to present our carefully curated September podcast selections that revolve around embracing authenticity, cultivating a culture of acceptance, valuing differences, and empowering children to dream big! This month we will feature our free stories on our website here at https://www.sparklestories.com/september-stories/ The stories are there waiting for you!

This week's free story comes from the At Home with Martin & Sylvia collection. It's called "Go-to-Sleep Fairy."   This story is a part of the "Handy Toolbelt of Stories" — a collection of stories designed to give your family support during overwhelming life events. Included are stories about trauma, sickness, potential harm and death. They are stories to have in your back pocket if your family experiences a sudden trauma or difficult life event. This story comes from the Martin &...

This week's free story comes from the Windward Ho! Fore & Aft (Book One) collection. It's called "Episode One: Periwinkle's Parrot."   In this first episode of Windward Ho! book one, Periwinkle "Wink" Mackenzie excitedly waits to purchase the next book in her favorite series, The Windward Chronicles, early on the morning of its release. She never suspects that receiving the new book will be only the beginning of an unforeseen adventure.   If you enjoyed that story, there are hundreds...

This week's free story comes from the Back to School Stories collection. It's called "Libby & Dish: What Is School Time?"   When Libby starts showing some back-to-school energy, Dish knows just how to stoke the fires! Libby has settled into summer and the easy rhythms of life at her grandparents’ house. Dish, however, feels ready to get back to their predictable city ways. When the clever cat notices telltale signs that Libby is itching to learn some new skills, he invites her to...

This week's free story comes from the Sparkle Sleepytime collection. It's called "Teeny the Toadlet."   Teeny is a little toadlet who is about to go to school for the very first time. When she realizes that going to Toad School includes leaving some of her friends from the pond and making new friends on land, she grows nervous. Her mother reassures her that toads are lucky because they can make new friends at Toad School while keeping their old friends from the pond.   If you enjoyed...

This week's free story comes from the Junkyard Tales collection. It's called "Beaver Days."   The Junkyard animals don’t know what to do. It is the All Clear Common, when no one works and the animals do things that are fun and relaxing. But no one has any good ideas — not until Fredland the Moose arrives with an exciting invitation: come to “Beaver Days” where the forest animals meet at the lake to play games, run races, and eat all sorts of yummy food! The Junkyard Animals have an...

his week's free story comes from the Junkyard Tales collection. It's called "Introduction Part One: The Cat's New Home."   This is a story about a cat. The cat's name is Benjamin Thompson and in this story, Ben accidentally discovers his new home - a most unusual place.   If you enjoyed that story, there are hundreds more where that came from. Try a Sparkle subscription now - for free. Go to sparklestories.com and click the button at the top that says “Start Free Trial,” then you can...

This week's free story comes from the Martin & Sylvia's Nature School Introduction collection. It's called "Part One: What to Do on Thursdays."   This collection introduces the Martin & Sylvia: Nature School Series. In the Nature School Introduction, the idea for a "Nature School" is born. It's summer's end, and Momma, Martin, and Sylvia reflect on all the things they loved about the summer season: hikes, walks along the beach, blueberry picking, climbing trees and collecting bird...

Our days are filled with busyness and many many demands. Kids lives too are full. How do we cut through all of that to find a little extra joy and peace? Wonder! It's a powerful tool for rekindling an inner sense of awe and appreciation - which leads to so many good feels. In this conversation with Lisabeth Sewell and Dr. Carrie Contey, they explore all the ways to enrich our days with a little wonder.   Visit the Sparkle website: www.sparklestories.com Questions?  Ideas?  Requests? ...

This week's free story comes from the Libby & Dish: Adventures of the Finder's Club collection. It's called "Part One: A New Kind of Adventure."   Libby, Juan Paco, and Morgan’s weekly adventure hike in the park has reached an impasse. Libby likes the path they always take, but Morgan wants to go somewhere new. What to do? Luckily, Dish has a suggestion that not only bridges the impasse, but opens the door to discovering something magical and completely unexpected!   If you enjoyed...

This week's free story comes from the By Thistle By Thimble collection. It's called "Constable Phelps and the Wondersmith."   Everything in the town of Iontas is in perfect order. Constable Phelps keeps it that way. The people work hard and there is never any trouble or complaint. But there also aren't any smiles or laughter. That is, until the Wondersmith arrives and quietly, gently changes everything.   If you enjoyed that story, there are hundreds more where that came from. Try a...

This week's free story comes from the Martin & Sylvia: Saturdays! collection. It's called "The Tiny House."   Martin and Sylvia want to set up the tent, and in addition to sleeping bags, they want chairs, a work and dining table, as well as a reading and craft area. They quickly realize that it will take some careful planning to make it all fit?. By day's end they have a beautiful and functional little house.   If you enjoyed that story, there are hundreds more where that came from....

This week's free story comes from the Martin & Sylvia: More Adventures! collection. It's called "Paddling to Treasure Island."   When Daddy suggests they paddle to "Luck Island" which had recently been made into a public park, brother and sister are at once excited and filled with questions: "Does anyone live there?" "What is on the island?" "Will there be pirate treasure?" They find out that the island does indeed have treasure, but not at all the kind they were expecting.   If you...

This week's free story comes from the The Willowbee Tree collection. It's called "The Smell of Fire."   Little Ty did not enjoy a recent camping trip with the rest of his family. He complained the whole time about the different sounds, and tastes, and especially the smells. When the willow tree takes him to the mud pools of New Zealand, Ty and a feisty Kea bird learn what amazing things one can see once you accept the intense smell for what it is: the smell of fire.   If you enjoyed that...

This week's free story comes from the Martin & Sylvia: Saturdays! collection. It's called "What Sandcastles Like."   When Martin and Sylvia's family visits Momma's friend, Kaylee, on the coast, they discover a tidal river bank with sand perfect for sandcastles. They build what they hope will be a long-lasting sandcastle, but quickly learn what the ocean, the sand, and sandcastles prefer...   If you enjoyed that story, there are hundreds more where that came from. Try a Sparkle...

Carrie Contey has some wise and delightful ideas for capturing the sweetness of summer. Listen into her interview with Lisabeth — it's full of expert tips and intentional strategies that will enrich your family's entire summer. Join us as we delve into the joys of the season and uncover valuable insights to make this summer the sweetest one yet, filled with connection, growth, and cherished memories.       Visit the Sparkle website: www.sparklestories.com Questions?  Ideas?  Requests? ...

This week's free story comes from the FIFTY: The Stars, the States, and the Stories collection. It's called "South Dakota: Trying to Do Some Good."   Most people have heard of the rough-and-tumble Wild West character Calamity Jane and her gun toting, hard talking, men’s clothes wearing reputation. But like many of the larger-than-life heroes and villains of the American West, the truth is much more subtle and complicated. For when an outbreak of smallpox threatens the gold rush town of...

This week's free story comes from the Martin & Sylvia: How to Be a Superhero collection. It's called "Part One: Are Superheroes Real?"   When Martin and Sylvia learn about superheroes from their neighborhood friends, their curiosity is instantly piqued. What is a superhero? Are superheroes real? And what do Momma and Daddy means when they say there are real superheroes living in their own town?   If you enjoyed that story, there are hundreds more where that came from. Try a Sparkle...

This week's free story comes from the I Am Marvel (How I Became Super) collection. It's called "Part One: An Introduction."   One Saturday morning, a seemingly ordinary husband, father, and elementary school teacher learns that he has the “mark” of a superhero. The moment he decides to rediscover lost superpowers from his youth, his eyes are opened to community of curious local folk who teach him How to Be Super.   If you enjoyed that story, there are hundreds more where that came from....